You don't need a woman to represent women

Political leaders in Wales have been urged to ensure more women are elected to the Welsh assembly. In a letter sent to each of the four parties, presiding officer Rosemary Butler says the assembly's make-up must reflect the population for it to be effective.

Ruth Porter told BBC Wales that we have to be careful when we talk about the need to have a complete microcosm of society in elected assemblies. The idea that you have to be from the same demographic to accurately reflect someone isn’t true, Ruth Porter argued.

However, the fact that the proportion of women is so small suggests that something is unfair and putting women off, Ruth Porter said. Political journalism is dominated by men, for example, creating a male-narrative that breeds a culture of discrimination.